Millions for a dozen Pasco projects in state funding report

Millions of state dollars could be headed to Pasco County to help fund a dozen organizations and projects, including an indigent health care clinic in Hudson, the new Pasco-Hernando Community College campus in Wesley Chapel and road improvement work near local schools.

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The Pasco projects are listed in the legislative conference report, which breaks down allocations by county, and are subject to Gov. Charlie Crist's veto.

On the list is the $1.25 million that state Sen. Mike Fasano secured for the health clinic at the new regional hurricane shelter bearing his name. The clinic is to be run by Premier Community HealthCare Group, and the appropriation is intended to finance operations for about two years.

Premier, which is based in Dade City, had applied for a federal grant to finance its start-up costs. But the group did not get the grant, which led Fasano, a longtime advocate for Premier, to start hunting for state money to get the clinic on its feet.

"That's a big one," said Fasano's legislative aide, Greg Giordano.

Also on the list is $10 million for road improvement projects that are part of an infrastructure pilot project.

In 2008, Fasano created a pilot school infrastructure project with Pasco in mind.

That year, and last year, the school district received about $4.3 million for projects near schools, such as adding turn lanes and expanding portions of roads. How much Pasco will get of the $10 million set aside for this year depends on how many other school districts apply for help through the program, said Giordano.

Pasco-Hernando Community College can expect more than $33 million this year to help with construction costs for the new Wesley Chapel campus. Also on the list are two resurfacing projects — on portions of U.S. 301 and State Road 52 — that are included in the county's five-year work plan.

Another $100,000 is set aside for Job Connections, a New Port Richey nonprofit that helps the unemployed.

Jodie Tillman can be reached atjtillman@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6247.